Hadith #7911

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لايُوثَقُ بِعَهْدِ مَنْ لاعَقْلَ لَهُ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of intellect and rationality in fulfilling promises and commitments. The word (ahd) "عَهْدِ" refers to a promise or covenant, while (la'aql) "لاعَقْلَ" means one who lacks intellect or reasoning abilities.

This Hadith highlights the significance of intellect in determining the reliability of a person's promises. Islam places great emphasis on the intellect and rationality as essential tools for understanding and practicing the religion. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has endowed humans with intellect as a means to differentiate between right and wrong, to make informed decisions, and to fulfill their obligations.

The Quran provides several verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. In Surah Al-Anfal (8:27), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, do not betray Allah and the Messenger or betray your trusts while you know [the consequence].

This verse emphasizes the importance of fulfilling promises and trusts, highlighting the knowledge and awareness of the consequences of one's actions. It implies that those who lack intellect or understanding may not fully comprehend the gravity of their commitments and may be more prone to betraying them.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Isra (17:34), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.

This verse emphasizes the obligation to fulfill commitments and promises, as they will be questioned on the Day of Judgment. It implies that those who lack intellect may not fully comprehend the importance and consequences of their commitments, leading to negligence or betrayal.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement in this Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of intellect and rationality in fulfilling promises. It cautions against relying on individuals who lack intellect or reasoning abilities, as they may not fully understand or appreciate the gravity of their commitments. Such individuals may be more prone to breaking their promises, either intentionally or unintentionally, due to their limited understanding.

This Hadith also highlights the significance of knowledge and understanding in Islam. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was renowned for his deep knowledge and wisdom, and his statement in this Hadith reflects his understanding of the importance of intellect in fulfilling commitments. Muslims are encouraged to seek knowledge, develop their intellect, and make informed decisions based on rationality and understanding.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of intellect and rationality in fulfilling promises and commitments. It cautions against relying on individuals who lack intellect, as they may not fully comprehend the consequences and importance of their commitments. Muslims are encouraged to seek knowledge, develop their intellect, and make informed decisions based on rationality and understanding. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and understanding to fulfill our promises and obligations with sincerity and integrity.